In addition, such a combination can reduce toxicity and chemoresistance and enhance radiosensitivity, although COX-2 inhibitors-related cardiotoxicity may potentially affect its use. Further in-depth investigation of these drug combinations is needed to maximize antitumor efficacy and minimize the side effects.Purpose This study aims to compare the neurocognitive outcome in term infants who were treated using phenobarbital (PB) and levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy for neonatal clinical seizures. Methods Term infants who were treated using PB or LEV monotherapy as the first-line anti-epileptic treatment for neonatal clinical seizures and followed-up in a pediatric neurology outpatient clinic were enrolled in this study. Neurodevelopmental outcome assessments were carried out using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, third edition (BSID-III), including cognitive, receptive language, expressive language, fine motor and gross motor subscales. Results The study group consisted of 62 infants who received monotherapy with PB monotherapy (n = 22) and LEV (n = 40). The mean duration of monotherapy treatment was 8 ± 6 months. There was no statistically significant difference between PB and LEV monotherapy groups concerning each outcome parameter on the BSID-III. There was also no statistically significant difference between PB and LEV monotherapy subgroups excluding the infants with neurodevelopmental impairment with a BSID-III scale score less then 7 or a composite score less then 85. Conclusion Our findings suggest that both LEV and PB therapy can be equally safe as monotherapy for neonatal clinical seizures for the neurodevelopmental outcome assessment with BSID-III.Purpose Ramadan fasting represents a challenge for both Muslim patients with epilepsy (MPWE) as well as their treating neurologists who aim to minimize the risk of fasting-related seizures. Several factors may contribute to the risk of fasting-related seizures such as the half-life of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), seizure control before Ramadan, and sleep fragmentation. The aim of this work was to investigate these factors. Methods An observational prospective study included all MPWE who completed Ramadan fasting in 2019, about 16 h per day for 30 days. They were assessed regarding seizure control, AEDs, and sleep alterations using The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results The study included 430 MPWE. The majority of patients (75.58%) completed Ramadan fasting without breakthrough seizures. Patients achieved successful Ramadan fasting were significantly younger, had shorter disease duration, longer periods of seizure freedom before Ramadan, more efficient and longer sleep hours. There was no significant difference between patients receiving monotherapy regimens with short versus intermediate long t?. Maximum seizure freedom before Ramadan and sleep hours were identified as independent predictors of successful Ramadan fasting, using multivariate analysis. Every extra week of being seizure free before Ramadan and every extra hour of sleep was associated with an increase in the probability of successful Ramadan fasting by 10% and 30%, respectively. Conclusion Neurologists should guide their MPWE who wish to fast Ramadan about the risks and precautions. Proper seizure control and ensuring adequate sleep duration can increase the probability of a successful Ramadan fasting.Purpose Emergency Department (ED) visits are costly to the health service and alternative care pathways may address this whilst improving outcomes. We aimed to describe decision-making and preferences of people with epilepsy (PWE) during emergency service use, and views of ED alternatives, including use of an Urgent Treatment Centre and telephone-based support from an epilepsy nurse specialist. Methods We conducted a community-based interview study in South East England, informed by a qualitative framework approach. 25 adults with epilepsy and 5 of their carers took part. Results Participants' choice to attend ED generally corresponded with guidelines, including continuing seizures and injury. Nevertheless, over half reported unwanted or unnecessary ED attendance, mainly due to lack of access to individual patient history, a carer, or seizures occurring in a public place. Participants used proactive strategies to communicate their care needs to others, including 24 -h alarm devices and care plans. Some suggested preventative strategies including referral after ED. https://www.selleckchem.com/screening-libraries.html Participants highlighted the importance of ambulance staff in providing fast and efficient care that gives reassurance. Conclusion Improving communication and access to preventative, proactive services may facilitate better outcomes within existing care pathways. PWE felt ED alternatives were helpful in some circumstances, but Urgent Treatment Centres or epilepsy nurse specialists were not viewed as an ED replacement.Background Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is considered to be an autoimmune disease, and streptococcal infection may be an environmental trigger. However, previous studies from Asian narcolepsy patients did not reveal elevated anti-streptolysin O [ASO]. The aim is to investigate whether large sample Chinese patients with NT1 have an increase in antistreptococcal antibody titers. Methods A total of 214 narcolepsy patients and 360 healthy controls were recruited. All patients were DQB1?0602 positive with clear-cut cataplexy or had low CSF hypocretin-1. Participants were tested for ASO and anti DNAse B [ADB]. These patients were divided into five groups according to disease duration, including 29 patients less than 3 months; 25 from 3 months to 1 year; 40 from 1 to 3 years; 61 from 3 to 10 years and 59 patients over 10 years. Comparison was also made between children and adults with age matched controls, respectively. Results There were no significant differences between patients and healthy controls in regard to both ASO ?200 IU (19.2% vs. 16.9%, p = 0.50) and ADB?480IU (9.8% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.86). For children narcolepsy patients, ASO positive rates (19.8% vs. 18%, p = 0.68) and ADB positive rates (10.4% vs. 12%, p = 0.72) had no differences compared to age matched controls. No difference was observed in adult narcolepsy patients either, with ASO positive rates (18.5% vs. 13.8%, p = 0.39) and ADB positive rates (9.3% vs. 5.3%, p = 0.42) compared to age matched controls, respectively. ASO and ADB positive rates had no significant differences among different disease duration groups (p = 0.55 and 0.9, respectively). Conclusion Streptococcus infection reflected by increase of ASO and ADB levels was not found in Chinese patients with type 1 narcolepsy, additional triggers for narcolepsy need to be addressed in this population.